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Pardon Don Armstrong if he starts believing again in the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus.

That will happen when several thousand dollars unexpectedly appear.

"I was totally surprised," the executive director for the Rochester Region of the Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection said Tuesday after learning his organization would receive $44,000 from this year's J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge. "I was so very pleased to hear this great news."

Armstrong said the money likely will be used to expand a summer program that teaches job skills and helps students explore careers. The Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection, affiliated with the Hillside Family of Agencies, involves 2,400 Rochester secondary school students who are at risk of dropping out. The program also is in Syracuse, Buffalo and Prince George's County, Md., and serves about 4,000 at all sites.

The program links students to an advocate, employment training, college prep support and tutoring. For the 2012-13 school year, 94 percent of participants who had gone through employment training and were working with one of Hillside's partners graduated on time.

Armstrong said the money would be divided between Rochester and Syracuse.

J.P. Morgan makes a donation in each city where a corporate challenge is held. Last year, 13 cities shared more than $700,000. The total amount is expected to be similar this year, according to a spokeswoman.

The race is scheduled for May 29 at Rochester Institute of Technology. More than 11,000 entrants from more than 450 companies are expected.

Armstrong said he had heard rumors that Hillside Work-Scholarship Connection was in the running for the donation. Organizations don't apply for the donation. The bank selects recipients.

"I got this wonderful email," said Armstrong. "Wow."

J.P. Morgan executive E. Malcolm "Sandy" Wolcott said Hillside gives students the skills to compete in the global economy.

This is the 24th year the challenge has been held in Rochester, and each year a donation has been made. The Hillside Family of Agencies received money several years ago.

"It's good to know an organization like J.P. Morgan understands the work we do," Armstrong said. "That kind of recognition goes a long way."